ICAR’s Fourth Zonal Meeting Held at ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar; DG, ICAR Interacts with Farmers and Leads Plantation Drive

20 August 2026, Avikanagar, Rajasthan

The fourth Zonal Meeting of ICAR institutions from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) was held at the ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, under the chairmanship of Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR. The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of administrative and financial matters, along with deliberations on future strategies and priorities for the participating institutes.

Ahead of the Zonal Meeting, Dr M. L. Jat interacted with farmers from Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh during ‘Chaupal Par Charcha’ at the Avikanagar institute. The farmers shared their experiences, challenges, innovations and success stories in agriculture and animal husbandry, besides offering their views on various farmer-oriented initiatives being undertaken by ICAR.

Shri Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR; Dr Arun Kumar Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar; and Directors and administrative teams of various ICAR institutes were also present.

Interacting with the farmers, Dr Jat assured them that modern technologies and high-quality seeds developed by ICAR institutes would be made available directly to farmers through ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar. He emphasised the need to strengthen the entire research-to-farm and farm-to-market continuum to ensure that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for farmers.

The Director General also stressed the importance of reducing the use of chemical fertilisers and encouraged the adoption of biofertilisers and natural farming practices. He appreciated the farmers who are adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

As part of the institute’s environmental conservation efforts, Dr Jat undertook a plantation drive at the Avikanagar campus and planted 501 fruit-bearing and fodder trees, including jamun, neem, mulberry and gular. The plantation drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from institute employees, participants of the Zonal Meeting and students of a local school, reinforcing the message of environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Dr Jat subsequently visited Sector-12 of the institute to review its improved livestock breeds and related activities. He observed the institute’s improved breeds, including Avishaan, Avikalin, Patanwadi, Malpura and Dumba sheep, along with Sirohi goats and broiler rabbits.

The Director General appreciated the institute’s efforts towards developing and promoting improved livestock technologies and undertaking activities aimed at benefiting farmers across the country. Dr Arun Kumar Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar, briefed him on the institute’s ongoing initiatives, achievements and progress.

The fourth Zonal Meeting is undertaking a detailed review of administrative and financial matters of ICAR institutes in the region. The meeting is being attended by the Directors and administrative officers of ICAR institutes located at Bikaner, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Bharatpur and Avikanagar in Rajasthan; Junagadh and Anand in Gujarat; and the Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG), Mathura. The deliberations are aimed at reviewing institutional performance and strengthening future strategies and priorities for research, technology development and farmer-oriented initiatives.

(Source: ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar)